Saw this on Broadway with Bernadette Peters as part of a band trip when I was in school. I knew who she was from film, but until I saw her in person on stage I'd no idea how completely beautiful she was - even though she probably had 21 or 22 years on me.

Anyway, this might just be a fantastic movie. The musical is probably my favorite of all time.

I just don't understand why she wasn't cast for the movie. The part was literally written for her. And don't say age - she's only a year older than Meryl Streep, and I can't imagine that Streep is any better of a singer.

Why? because First look at Bernadette Peters as The Witch in ‘Into The Woods’, doesn't hang the same interest level. Hollywood doesn't have a lot of faith in the source material so they make sure to add lots of star power to bring in people.

As Key and Peele said, you gotta see Les Miz, its got Wolverine and Gladiator.

On that note, Meryl herself said (on Fresh Air) that immediately after turning 40, the first two roles she were offered were witches ("Death Becomes Her" and "Witches of Eastwick"), and that told her something.

Maybe they won't? Not sure how it would work, but I remember when people were upset that they cut the chorus from Sweeney Todd for the movie, I kept pointing out that it's tougher to break the fourth wall in a film and still be taken seriously than it is on a stage. That being said, Into the Woods is a little more dependent on that wall being broken than Sweeney Todd is.

I'm not hating. She has a distinct style and like her in the roles I've seen her in, but I don't ever remember seeing her without being able to picture her flying off on a broomstick and cackling. If anyone was born to play the role of a witch, it's her (not that I don't think Meryl streep can do a good job in this particular role).

Well, to be fair, Meryl is/was a trained opera singer, so I know she can do Sondheim justice. But...she and Bernadette are the same age, approximately. Bernadette created the role. Why was she not cast?!

Probably because she's not Hollywood famous like Meryl Streep. If you asked the average person who isn't necessarily into musicals who Bernadette Peters is, they'd probably have no idea, but Meryl Streep is pretty recognizable.

Into The Woods was originally a stage musical, which first debuted in San Diego (aka, Whales Vagina) in 1986.

Act I follows four main characters, who are all longing for some typical fairy tale like thing. Through the workings of the Witch they all get what they want, and live "Happily Ever After" But then Act II comes along, and we see real life, and shit generally hits the Fairy-Fan.

This is now being adapted into a Film. Main roles being played by Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick (...so hot!). Release date is set for Christmas 2014.

What's the best version of this to watch that's currently available? There seems to be half a dozen different musical productions on youtube along with a Netflix movie.

Netflix is my first bet, but I'm a little apprehensive because the movie version is about 30% shorter than the play.

Edit: Thank you all for the advice. I'll be watching the Netflix version (with the original cast) tonight with the GF. She's never seen it, and loves 1) Fairy Tales and 2) Musicals, so it should be a great night.

Not only my favorite Sondheim musical, but my favorite musical of all time. I'm worried that Rob Marshal will make the film style over substance which is already evident by the casting of Johnny Depp as the Wolf and not whoever is playing the Prince double cast in the part. What made Chicago such as great movie musical was that it wasn't actually a musical. Marshal made sure all the numbers were either done on a stage or in a character's head. Nine was a weird mix of imagining the songs and actually singing which is why it didn't work despite best efforts by the cast. Into the Woods is meant to be a real deception of what truly happens to these iconic characters, I hope Marshall doesn't have any head singing or imaginary numbers in this production.

Hmm, narrator is disappointing, but I can understand it for a a film production. And frankly, the Mysterious Man always felt a little awkward in there (his plotline had a cheesy charm that might not translate to screen), but I don't know what they'll do to make the plot work without him.

I just about creamed my panties when I saw this topic. Had no idea they were making it into a film. Absolutely love it. It has personal significance to me of a time in my life when the world was less shitty.

My favorite Sondheim play. Didn't realize it was getting the film treatment. Not sure if I like Meryl Streep filling the role of the witch. Streep is probably the greatest living actress, but it doesn't mean that it's the right role for her. The Witch is, historically, played by a woman on the younger side of middle-aged. Bernadette Peters was 38 when she played the role in the original run, and Vanessa Williams was 39 when I saw it on Broadway in 2002. Streep is 64 already.

Still, excited for the film. I can't remember the last film musical that I really enjoyed. Not counting animated films, I mean. I'll be interested to see how they handle the length. The play is often in the range of 3 hours, give or take 20 minutes.

Had no idea this movie was happening. Grew up a "showbiz kid", sat through the first two acts countless times. Left because 2bd act was boring. Decided to watch the original Broadway cast on Netflix. Never in my life have I cried so hard over a movie or play. When "you are not alone" happened, I was in such a fit of heaving sobs, I had to stop the movie. I couldn't stop weeping for an hour. Holy fucking shit, it's powerful. It's like you're watching a charming play, kinda slow, then BAM! Feels motherfucker!

STAHP! i got a chance to do this play with a local theater group in my late teens. it was our last play together, as the theater was closing and a lot of the cast was going off to college and full time jobs and such. at every performance of that song, those of us that were backstage were all huddled together crying. the makeup lady kept getting pissed because she would have to touch us up before we went on for the Finale.

I'm just happy they pulled Sophia Grace from it. I'm sure she's a lovely child, and has a very...outgoing and exuberant personality (at least on Ellen, anyway), but I really don't think she would've been right for this.

Read the script online, will post once I get to my laptop since I have the link bookmarked there. Also he's not listed on cast listings.
The Baker's father will appear to him where "No More" is usually sung (song has been cut) as an apparition. Any narrative the mysterious man furthers in act 1 will be done by the witch now.

As a former Mysterious Man, that's fucking bullshit. How the hell are they going to explain how the whole play started? Who's going to turn the baker back when he tries to run away? Who takes the baker's money, albeit briefly? WHAT MADNESS IS THIS

my wife's thoughts exactly. ITW is her favorite show ever, and her favorite celebrity is B Peters (like she watched The Jerk with me because of her, not Steve Martin). She went into a RAGE when Disney announced this as a film.

I'm not really looking forward to Meryl Streep either. Or the fact the Johnny Depp is in it since he wasn't that great in Sweeney Todd, I'm my opinion.

I'm guessing they'll cut out some parts but I've also heard their writing a new song for the movie but who knows if it will just end up in the credits like they did with Phantom of the Opera or add it into the movie itself.

Len Cariou won a Tony and a Drama Desk Award for originating Sweeney Todd when it came out, though. It's hard to compete with such a successful rendition. I get your point, but when you compare Depp to Cariou, Depp kind of falls flat - not that he's not good in his own right.

Agreed. I was ok with the Sweeney Todd movie until I saw it live on stage (with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton). Now I can't even watch the movie, the singing is so mediocre and they cut out the best song in the musical

Dude worked like a champ, he is a hard worker and a brilliant actor - doesn't change the fact that he shouldn't have been cast in a role that is normally played by a power house particularly given the fact that he "hasn't sung a day in his life" - the role is traditionally performed by someone who has a lifetime of stage experience.
Johnny wasn't cast because he was the best for the part he was cast because Tim Burton loves and trusts Johnny Depp. Still, that was a huge miscast.

Yeah. Burton has to be able to admit that there are actually some roles that Depp might not be qualified for.
Also, it just seems weird when you keep paying the same dude to make out with your wife while you film them...

My friend and I saw this being filmed down at Dover Castle on Wednesday. Unfortunately we didn't see Meryl Streep but we saw Anna Kendrick and Chris Pine filming. All I can say really is that it does look very Disney.

I feel like they're trying to make this another realization of the stage-version, and including one person who was famously in one of the stage productions would look a bit like a "Ehhh? See what we did? That's the same witch." By casting all people who haven't been associated with it before, they're all on the same level of just being that character for this production. If Peters was in it, it would almost become, "The Witch from the stage production of Into the Woods".

That's just kind of my take on it. Bernadette is freaking amazing, but this way every character is a little more unique to this movie.

The script for the film is fantastic. Stays true to the musical. Amazingly they fit BOTH acts into the narrative of the film. Almost all the songs made it in as well, and the new song is written for the Witch and happens towards the end of the movie! It is going to be fantastic!

Okay, sure, Meryl Streep is fantastic and all, but I saw Bernadette Peters perform the role on Broadway, and it belongs to her. If for no other reason than Meryl's voice can't hold a candle to Bernadette's, and you do not want to go into a Sondheim musical with a less than stellar singer.

It would be like doing a Mamet play with a sub-par actress (cough Speed the Plow cough).

Sorry, but I am NOT excited at all for this film. I'm a die hard fan of the original recorded cast, and own both the CDs and stage performance on DVD. I've watched it over and over again since I was a teenager.

Bernadette Peters will ALWAYS be the witch in ITTW. Sorry, can Meryl even sing?

Oh jeez, my sister did this for her last school musical and it was AMAZING. She was the... weeeelll, I don't remember the character well, but I know she was one of the main characters. About a month after, she got viral meningitis and it permanently slurred her speech.